Arcdh Arc – Association for Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran "ArcDH"
For the 17th Session of the UN Minority Forum Imposing a single language and prohibiting populations from speaking their mother tongue is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes. This refusal to respect fundamental rights, including the right to speak one’s language, is a true form of tyranny.
The term *glottophagy*, modeled after *xenophobia*, aptly describes this phenomenon. In Iran, Azerbaijani Turks face discrimination tied to their language and are labeled as “separatists” for demanding a legitimate right: access to education in their mother tongue. Despite Iran’s remarkable cultural and linguistic diversity, the imposition of a singular identity blatantly disregards this richness.
The ban on education in mother tongues violates Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution as well as Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda, which advocates for inclusive and quality education.
Furthermore, Iran lacks any laws against discrimination and xenophobia, despite recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
This absence of legal protection exacerbates poverty in marginalized regions, promotes child marriage, and leads to high dropout rates, while Article 30 of the Constitution—guaranteeing free education—has remained unenforced for 45 years.
The Arc Association calls on the United Nations to ensure the fundamental rights of national and religious minorities and demands the immediate and unconditional release of Azerbaijani prisoners of conscience unjustly detained for defending their rights to equality and dignity.
Among them are 12 civil society activists sentenced to a total of 88 years in prison, including Morteza Parvin, an artist, and Tahr Taqavi, a lawyer. Let us not forget Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, whose life is in grave danger.